Jacksonville

Matt Brockelman

Matt Brockelman joins Southern Strategy Group after most recently serving as a state lobbyist for the University of North Florida (UNF), covering higher education issues from both a university-wide and student-centric perspective. Prior to lobbying, Matt worked in media relations for the Jacksonville Mayor’s Office.

Matt has been involved with several recent high-profile education initiatives in Tallahassee including the Florida G.I. Bill, which provided additional tuition assistance to honorably discharged veterans of the U.S. Armed Services. Matt also worked extensively on the Florida Legislature’s 2014 bipartisan push to limit student cost increases at Florida public universities and extend in-state tuition rates to more Florida families.

Matt holds bachelor’s degrees in finance and marketing from the University of North Florida and currently serves on its Alumni Association Board of Directors. While a student, Matt was actively involved on campus and graduated as UNF’s student body president. During his term as president, Matt helped form a partnership between UNF and the Jacksonville Jaguars that resulted in the first-ever dedicated student section at an NFL stadium. Matt also served as vice chairman of the Florida Student Association, a constitutionally-recognized statewide organization that represents the interests of more than 330,000 students in Florida’s public universities.

Having grown up in Jacksonville, Matt possesses deep ties to the local community and a strong desire to contribute to its future. In 2013, Matt became the youngest person to receive a fellowship to the Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Political Leadership Institute.